[amsat-bb] Re: Where can I buy pre-made feedline?

[kc6uqh]

Hi ALL,
 The PL259 Connector is rated commercially to 300 MHz. Above that N, BN, 
BNC, TNC, MHV connectors are recommened. All but the PL259 are sealed to 
keep moisture out of the cables. The Family of BNC, N, etc are not without 
assembly problems, pin length and proper trimming of the dielectric are the 
main issues. 9913 and LMR 400 require special connectors to accept the 
larger center conductor. Made by RF Industries and others these are 
available at many suppliers. You must get or download the assembly / cutting 
instructions to make a proper connection. This includes the Crimp types. The 
connectors using Delrin insulators are good to 1800 MHz the ones that use 
Teflon are good to 22 GHz.  Both materials are white but teflon doesn't melt 
with a soldering Iron.
Good Luck,
Learning by doing is a GOOD THING!

Art, KC6UQH

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rick Mann" <rmann at latencyzero.com>
To: "Dave Guimont" <dguimon1 at san.rr.com>
Cc: <amsat-bb at amsat.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 06, 2007 2:11 PM
Subject: [amsat-bb] Re: Where can I buy pre-made feedline?


>
> On Dec 6, 2007, at 11:17 AM, Dave Guimont wrote:
>
>> I can't imagine using anything but "N" connectors on anything
>> outside,to the point of changing the connector on the antenna if
>> necessary.  At any power level...
>>
>> And of course it is done because of their mechanical and electrical
>> superiority.  And to improve both, secure them to something that will
>> prohibit flexing at the connector.
>>
>> Anything below VHF is ok with PL259's inside, but at VHF and above,
>> inside, I replace the radio connector with an "N".  That may be
>> "gilding the lily".....
>
> I have a brand-new Icom IC-910H. It has PL-259 on its VHF connector
> and N on the UHF. I have a duplexer with matching connectors, and
> PL-259 on its output. It is this that I am trying to connect to a
> single dual-band vertical antenna (Diamond X-30, something like
> that?). (I also have an Arrow II dual-band hand-held Yagi, limited to
> 20 W).
>
> I don't know how feasible it is to replace the connectors. I would
> *love* it if all used N, but they don't. I could buy pre-made N-
> connector feedlines, but then I need an adapter, and that might result
> in more loss than it's worth.
>
> If I could successfully solder them, it'd be great, but I simply
> cannot get solder to flow without first melting the outer jacket (I
> see it move and ooze where it exits the connector), and who knows how
> bad the foam dielectric is at this point?
>
> I'm using a small butane torch, and vice grips on either side of the
> holes. I tried tinning the braided shield beforehand with my electric
> iron (a nice Metcal), but even that melts the dielectric if I'm not
> extremely careful (and I don't think it's bonding well to the foil
> shield).
>
> How hard is it to replace the one PL-259 connector on the IC-910H with
> an N?
>
> -- 
> Rick
>
>
>
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